Immunosuppression Flashcards
What drugs are used as immunosuppressants?
Corticosteroids Methotrexate Azathioprine Ciclosporin Tacrolimus Mycophenolate mofetil Cyclophosphamide
What is the mechanism of corticosteroids?
Prevent IL-1 + IL-6 production by macrophages
Inhibit all stages of T-cell activation
What drugs are DMARDs?
Sulphasalazine Hydroxychloroquine Anti-TNF agents Rituximab IL-6 inhibitors JAK inhibitors
What is methotrexate?
Anti-metabolite
What are the indications for methotrexate?
RA
Crohn’s
Psoriasis
Malignancy
What is the route of administration of methotrexate?
Oral
IM
SC
IV
What is the mechanism of action of methotrexate?
Inhibits dihydrofolate reductase
Reduces synthesis of purines + pyrimidines
Inhibit accumulation of adenosine
Inhibit T-cell activation
What are the side effects of methotrexate?
Mucositis Marrow suppression Hepatitis Pneumonitis Increased infection risk
Teratogenic
What is azathioprine?
Antiproliferative immunosuppressant
What are the indications for azathioprine?
Crohn's UC RA SLE Suppress transplant rejection
What are the routes of administration of azathioprine?
Oral
IV
What is the mechanism of azathioprine?
Cleaved to 6-MP
Inhibits DNA/RNA synthesis
What are the side effects of azathioprine?
Bone marrow suppression Increased risk of malignancy Increased infection risk Hepatitis Thrombocytopenia
What is ciclosporin?
Calcineurin inhibitor
What are the indications for ciclosporin?
UC RA Atopic dermatitis Psoriasis Transplantation Nephrotic syndrome
What are the routes of administration of ciclosporin?
Oral
IV
What is the mechanism of ciclosporin?
Inhibits calcineurin - binds to cyclophilin protein
Prevents production of IL-2
What are the side effects of ciclosporin?
Eye inflammation D+V Fever Fatigue Hepatic dysfunction
What is tacrolimus?
Calcineurin inhibitor
What are the indications for tacrolimus
Eczema
Psoriasis
Transplant